APPENDIX 2: Vison Cards At the beginning of the day, each participant was asked to fill out a Vision Card answering the question, “what is your vision for the future of composting in our region?” This activity served as a grounding or focusing exercise to direct conversations more purposefully. The cards were displayed during the day as a backdrop for the photo booth. The vision cards have been transcribed in the chart below.
Participant Vision Cards What is your vision for the future of composting in our region?
A coordinated effort to educate citizens on the value of compositing, the importance of reducing food waste going into landfills. Convincing municipal leaders that a community-wide food and yard waste collection program is beneficial in many ways. Have increased city/regional (e.g. local govs) investment in composting to support local farmers. Have grocery stores and other large-scale players in the food system dedicate some of theirs to composting. Dedicated composting centers strategically located throughout the region. Equity, accessibility, true circularity Food scraps/waste are accepted for compost, every household has affordable options to divert food and waste, the materials used for composting are free of toxic chemicals, compost replaces majority of fertilizers on the market. Ubiquitous access to affordable compost/organic recycling options that accommodates the varying needs of different cities and suburbs. Fast, scalable compost options that don't require taxpayer funding or various red tape, and advocacy from government. Organic waste goes to the landfill; Everyone has a basic understanding of composting and has access to divert their organics easily; Policy supports composting infrastructure and access; Funding and grants fill gaps, educate, and ensure organics diversion; There is strong market demand for finished compost to heal and improve Illinois soils My vision for the future of composting is one where people have the resources and ease too compost as second nature. The inputs are easily captured, and it is second nature to know how to compost food waste at home, businesses, and institutions ate contributing, and the waste haulers share out the compost as a resource to those who put into the system. To equally and effectively focus on both the diversion of all organics from the landfills and the statewide use of compost in our communities, through education, legislation, and successful marketing. I believe that composting, though it is the easiest method of dealing with food waste on a community level, is not necessarily the best way. What are some of the alternatives, and how do we engage the community in those efforts? If composting continues to be the way to go, I would like to develop a campaign that truly educates and motivates the communities across the region on a massive scale.
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